Michael Viney responds to reader's queries and observations about nature.
In early May, I was witness to a dramatic aerial battle over the rooftops near where I live. The antagonists were a jackdaw and a member of a strange species which I had never seen before, a bird with a wingspan of about 24-30 inches, a U-shaped neck, a long beak and a white/grey/black plumage, larger than a seagull but of more slender build. The two ducked and weaved in the sky for about half a minute. The diminutive jackdaw seemed to be trying to drive away the stranger and was succeeding in the attempt until they both disappeared over the roofs.
John A. Bourke, Dublin, 6
The bird was a heron; the jackdaw was nesting.
I came across a multiple dandelion plant, the only one found among thousands of ordinary ones.
Adriama Smith Slieker, Crossgar, Co Down
It is a fasciated dandelion with what looks like several stalks fused together. This is caused by damage to the growing point. Fasciation can occur in any plant.
Edited by Michael Viney, who welcomes observations sent to him at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo. e-mail: viney@anu.ie. Observations sent by e-mail should be accompanied by postal address.